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House Dems Reach Partial Deal, Soften Climate Bill

"House Democrats have reached agreement on several key pieces of a major climate change and energy bill, including a national renewable electricity standard, greenhouse gas emissions limits for 2020 and the distribution of valuable emissions credits to electric utilities and trade-sensitive industries, the chairman of the Energy and Commerce Committee said yesterday.

Rep. Henry Waxman (D-Calif.) expects to pass the comprehensive energy and climate change bill out of committee next week, but several moderate and conservative Democrats said they have not signed off on any final deals. 'We have resolved a good number of the issues,' Waxman told reporters after a 60-minute closed-door meeting with committee Democrats. 'I believe we'll have the votes for passage.'

Waxman said he would release legislative text tomorrow and begin opening statements Monday ahead of a marathon markup that should be finished before the Memorial Day recess."